The well has water in it - nice clear water by the look of things. The amulet does radiate magic - I didn’t mention it when the [color=blue]Detect was done at the cave as you already knew about it.[/color] There is a keyhole in the door, of about the right size for the key you found in the cave.
Ulf: It’s just a possibility, that’s all.
Why don’t we knock at the door first?
If no-one answers, we can try the key.
(DM, I assume we are near where Osvald and the fox saw the light?)
Near - it’s hard to be specific as Osvald had few reference points and the now-absent fox isn’t all that good at figuring things out.
There is a brass doorknocker made in the shape of an ugly face. When you approach its lips move and it says something that Ivar recognises as an impolite English expression meaning “Go away”. 
Ulf:
Well this certainly looks like a Wizard’s house!
Let’s ask Guern what he knows about this place and its owner.
Should we announce our presence?
Should we try the key?
(DM, we did ask if Henrik and Redbeard could buy missile weapons in Woolverton - any luck with that?)
Guern: “No idea. This is a bit off my usual patch.”
There were arrows to be had, but no bows for sale in Woolverton - there’s not enough trade to keep a full-time bowyer in employment. You could find someone to make one with a little asking around, but it might be quicker to wait until you get to Pevensey or even Hamwic.
Ulf suggests that Bjarni, Jorund, Ivar and himself all take 50 gold. (=200)
Henrik + Redbeard take 25 gold. (=50)
Osvald takes the Amulet (and our best wishes!).
(DM, I’m sorry, but I can’t remember how much gold we started with. :o
I assume we can pay Guern 1 gold piece to cover a few days work, plus perhaps he could ‘keep an eye open’ for anything happening around here when we leave…)
Well we might as well knock and see if he’s friendly.
Is the back door locked?
The back door does indeed seem to be locked.
Ulf says “How about this?
We know there’s been some sort of bright light and burning smell hereabouts. We also found a misplaced key, and an Amulet on an Owlbear that should have been on a human. Surely it’s reasonable to try the key to see if anyone needs our help…”
“Me like you think . . . maybe we unlock all and help from two sides. But wizards no like no wanted people show up . . . You sure we no ask first if hurt he invite, if he no want then we know we fight”
Jorund moved around the to the side of the house so he can still watch the back door but still participate in the conversation.
Ulf: OK, I suggest we knock, ask loudly if anyone needs help, then try the key.
It seems fine to have someone watch the back door, but it could be Guern.
After all, we’re not going to attack anyone simply running out, are we?
Guern is happy to watch the back door from a safe distance on that understanding.
No-one answers your knock and call, so you go to step 2. The key fits and turns reasonably easily in the front door lock. You ease the door open and peer in, seeing a typical cottage living room in a state of some disarray. There is an interior door at the back of the living room, and a little stairwell off to the right, opposite a fireplace on the left. That’s all you can see from the doorway.
If someone DOES Answer the door, it’d be best not to just have a band of vikings in front of him. He may be… worried. Perhaps Jorund could watch the back, with the instructions that should he see anything unusual, he should come in smashing?
"Perhaps Bjarni and I could simply TALK to the fellow that lives in here. Explain that we saw a bright light, and wondered if he needed any help that sort of thing? One wizard to another? Though… I should probably hide the amulet that I’m wearing around my neck- as I don’t want him to be the guy that trains owlbears and suddenly notice that I’m wearing his enchanted item. That would certainly not go over well. Nope. But I think Bjarni and I should try to help the wizard, see if he needs anything. Ulf you can act as our helper/bodyguard. Henrik and RedBeard could also stay out of site with Jorund. That way we won’t appear as intimidating.
Also, should we get inside and things get problematic- I do have flares x2 to blind the fellow- should he start to get cheeky with his spells, and Color Spray x2 to knock him out as well. That could be the signal for the others to come in and that we need help.
But until then, I propose that only three of us try to knock and speak to him. If he doesn’t answer… then perhaps the key. Should Ivar or I detect magic on the door to see if there’s a trap or some such? I only have one left, and I’d rather save it for use inside the house. But we don’t want any traps or such either… Hmm… what to do?"
Osvald finishes his speech, and looks around at his fellow Vikings peering into the house.
“By Odin’s beard! Wait up for me! I want to see too!”
Does this door lead to another room, or is it the door in the back that Guern is watchng?
ie: How many rooms (estimated) are in this cottage from the size of the outside and this first room?
It looks like there’s another room to the rear, and an upstairs - perhaps one or two more rooms there - which either has a very high ceiling or access to a separate attic.
“We split up? . . . Take less time, then we find why no one home”
Jorund peers into the fireplace trying to figure out if its been used recently.
Osvald goes over to the interior ( :smack: doh!) door, and puts his ear against it to listen for sounds.
He then waits to see if he should go upstairs or not. (Best find out if someone’s been living here recently or still here first I suppose).
It is a well-known characteristic of Vikings that they can’t bear to be left out. 
Therefore Ulf comes in ( politely) and has a good look round, opening doors after knocking on them.
He won’t touch anything apart from doors though, because all is not necessarily what it seems in a Wizard’s house.
Noticing Osvald going over to the door, and putting his ear against it to listen for sounds, Ulf remarks about glue and other traps. 
He thinks ’ What this party needs is a Scout.’
Well, Ivar can cast a Detect Traps and go about it that way.